Carrion and Demarest start fundraiser for Florida boy with Leukemia

Comment

By Christy Hart-Harris

The Daily Reporter - Coldwater, MI

By Christy Hart-Harris

Posted Apr. 8, 2013 at 9:05 AM

By Christy Hart-Harris
Posted Apr. 8, 2013 at 9:05 AM

Coldwater, Mich.

charris@thedailyreporter.comColdwater- Many charities and organizations seeking funding flood many user's Facebook news feed. There are so many to choose from and it can be difficult to discern the real ones from the not-so real ones. When local resident Courtney Carrion came upon a post on her Facebook news feed about a three year old Florida boy who was stricken with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, she wanted to learn more.

"The second you read about him there's something--you just become so attached to him," said Carrion.

Kaedyn Ballew, son of Nic and Shelsie Ballew, of central Florida, was diagnosed with ALL in 2010 at the age of one. Born on September 22, 2009, Kaedyn was "the picture of newborn health."

The diagnosis came as a surprise to the family. Just two weeks prior to being admitted to Shands HealthCare at the University of Florida in Gainesville Florida, Shelsie took Kaedyn to his pediatrician for swollen cheeks. He was diagnosed with mumps. The swollen cheeks persisted as did excruciating p stomach pain. After an emergency room visit to their local hospital, Kaedyn was diagnosed with Leukemia and immediately transported to Shands.

After a tough battle with ALL, Kaedyn was cancer free in August 2011. On New Year's Day 2013, Kaedyn was checked back into the E.R. at Shands ad diagnosed with a relapse of ALL.

Kaedyn must now undergo "Chemo again then do a bone marrow transplant."

After reading about Kaedyn, Carrion had "liked" a post on Kaedyn's Facebook page thus allowing, former Coldwater resident and friend, Stephanie Demarest to see the post on her Facebook newsfeed.

Like Carrion, Demarest wanted to learn more about Kaedyn.

"After learningmore about him and his famliy, I just felt an overwhelming feeling that I had to help in someway," said Demarest.

Carrion and Demarest decided to start a fundraiser via www.idiegogo.com for the family who are in need of funding for all the accumulated medical expenses.

"Our goal for Kaedyn is $5,000," said Carrion.

With less than 50 days left, "Kaedyn Ballew the Brave" fundraiser on Indiegogo has raised $1,440 for Kaedyn.

Indiegogo was established in 2007 by a group of people who wanted to raise money for something they were passionate about.

Demarest was responsible for setting up the Indiegogo account.

"I chose Indiegogo because I knew there were websites that would allow you to set up funds for someone that you didn't know. We could set up the account for free and the money links directly to the families pay pal or bank account. It is a good way to help donors feel secure knowing their donations go directly to the families rather than a third party." said Demarest.

Carrion and Demarest have decided to continue their fundraising efforts and expand to aiding other charities.

"We have decided to continue on because overall it's the right thing to do. We want to show people that all it takes is an idea, ambition and some dedication and you can do anything." said Demarest.

A website, www.kaedynlove.com, has been established for others seeking to support Kaedyn with fundraisers. Shelsie said, "Thank you for all the love an support we receive from organizations all over central Florida and around the world. Everyone who participated is amazing and I wish I could just wrap my arms around each one of you."

For more information or to donate to Kaedyn through Demarest and Carrion's fundraiser visit www.indiegogo.com.